Being
present to monitor farrowing is key to helping the newborn piglet get a good
start and reducing piglet mortality rates. Newborn management is an important
factor in achieving one extra pig weaned per sow per year, which is one of the
key targets BPEX is helping producers with this year.
Newborn
piglets are poorly equipped to keep warm immediately after birth as the
energy reserves to produce body heat (glycogen stored in the liver) are
limited. A combination of factors means that piglets often become chilled: their
small
size means they lose heat fast, a lack of brown fat means there’s no internal
heat source, they have little surface fat and no hair (no insulation) and they’re
born wet with birth fluids (further chilling). Piglets are
also born with no immunity and can only get this from colostrum soon after
birth.
Producers could consider altering routines
or rotas to provide cover at farrowing time or discuss with their vet the practicalities
of using products to promote farrowing during the daytime, when the stockman
can be present.
Colostrum is the ‘first milk’ and an
essential source of energy, nutrients and immunity for the piglet.
It is critical for development of the
piglets’ own immune system and optimum lifetime performance. Producers should maximise
colostrum intake in the first six hours after birth. Beyond 24 hours is too late as the
piglets’ intestines can no longer absorb the large antibodies found in colostrum.
Split suckling, assisted suckling and hand feeding colostrum
are all options to help ensure colostrum intake.
For more information:
Download the factsheet Action for Productivity 14: Newborn management
View short video clips from the BPEX Practical Pig App
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